Progress of research on methanogenic microbial electrolysis cell

Methanogenic microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) is a new technology that uses microorganisms as catalysts to convert CO2 or organic pollutants into methane by using external input electrical energy. MEC can treat a variety of pollutants such as sewage, sludge, biogas residue and produce methane while realizing CO2 treatment and energy conversion. It is considered as one of the important solutions with high energy conversion efficiency, low cost and environment-friendly for energy shortages and environmental pollution problems. In recent years, MEC has received extensive attention in methanogenic biocathode structure, electron transport pathways, and methanogenic microbial communities. At the same time, new methanogenic technologies formed by MEC coupled anaerobic digestion or other wastewater treatment systems have been gradually developed and become researche hotspot. In this paper, the progress of research on methanogenic biocathode and the methanogenic microbial community of methanogenic MEC were reviewed. Furthermore, the new systems of the MEC coupled anaerobic digestion or other systems for methane production were also introduced. Finally, the research direction of methanogenic MEC and the technical problems that still need to be solved in the practical process were summarized and analyzed. © All Right Reserved.